Stating that it looked like the authorities had not learnt any lessons from recent tragedies, the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) on Thursday issued notices to the Delhi government, the Delhi police and the North Delhi Municipal Corporation over Tuesday’s fire at a Karol Bagh hotel.
Seventeen people were killed and three injured when a fire broke out at Hotel Arpit Palace in Karol Bagh early on Tuesday morning. Later, it emerged that there was unauthorised construction at the site and several other irregularities, including fire safety violations.
Taking suo motu cognisance of media reports, the NHRC issued notices to the Delhi government Chief Secretary, Delhi Police Commissioner and North Corporation Commissioner, seeking detailed reports in six weeks.
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‘Form expert panel’
The Chief Secretary was also asked to form a committee of experts to look into violation of norms by hotels, shops and others carrying out commercial activity in residential areas.
“The Commission is of the opinion that it seems the authorities have not learnt any lessons from the tragic incidents occurred in the recent past...This painful incident could have been avoided if the hotel management and the authorities concerned would have acted sincerely. This is indeed a very serious case of violation of human rights,” an NHRC statement said.
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